letsgettreppy

[letsgettreppy]

This article about blogging begins by proposing the many benefits that blogging has to the blogger. It begins discussing the apparent benefits, such as self-expression in the form of venting or exploring a particular topic, then transitions to how blogging can actually improve one’s physical health. The blog then delves into the depths of brain function while blogging, or compulsive writing.

I find the connection that this writer finds between blogging and a form of mania in many ways loose. The correlations between overactive blogging, and a manic individual’s needing to communicate and make connections are those that could arise between mania and any other productive activity. 

[letsgettreppy]

Entheogens

Entheogens

An entheogen ("generating the divine within") is defined as a chemical substance used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context that often induces psychological or physiological changes (Brazilian Archives of Biology... 1). In Mayan culture, there were many psychoactive substances found in nature that were incorporated into religious/ spiritual ceremonies, one of the most prominent being psilocybin-containing mushrooms. The Mayans believed that consuming mushrooms expanded their mind, and allowed divine interaction. This divine interaction is closely linked to one of the most significant Gods in Mesoamerican culture, Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was seen as the god of intelligence and self-reflection and was often depicted alongside mushrooms in Mayan, Aztec, and Olmec artifacts (The Genesis of a Mushroom Religion, 3). Because of this, worshippers of Quetzalcoatl incorporated mushrooms into their worship ceremonies as a helping hand to their own self-reflection. Interestingly enough, “modern research has found that psilocybin can, quite literally, expand consciousness” (What We Really Know About…6). This occurs in ways similar to, yet significantly different from, the way yoga does. Both expand consciousness through the dampening of one’s ego and allowing reflective focus to shift away from the innate human sense of superiority. While this is a sort of “goal” in yoga practice, it is simply a side effect of mushroom consumption. I could find no better way to explain this than how it was presented by the source:

“research showed that psilocybin dampens activity in areas of the brain associated with sensory processing… These brain regions [are] the seat of the ego and are responsible for giving us our sense of self, so by hindering their activity, users often report experiences of oneness with the universe and interconnection.”

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/14/psychedelic-mushrooms-facts_n_6083436.html)

The same article states that coordinating research involving the use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and a subsequent MRI scan, displayed that ingestion caused normally disconnected brain regions to communicate with one another, literally expanding consciousness.

I’d like to say, however, should not be viewed as completely positive. The same Mesoamerican God that was such a motivating factor in the ceremonial use of mushrooms, was the same that demanded human sacrifice necessary for eternal bliss and satisfaction.

[letsgettreppy]

[letsgettreppy]

REACHING higher consciousness through yoga and Meditation

If you’re not into drilling a hole into your head (which you shouldn’t be), a popular way of grasping your consciousness and feeling centered is through yoga and meditation. I first started practicing yoga three years ago and was not particularly a fan initially. I thought of it as “just stretching” and “not real exercise”, but the truth of the matter is that it’s more than just a warm up, it is a way to merge body, mind, and spirit. I didn’t realize this until I stopped comparing my yoga abilities to those around me and focused on breathing, clearing my mind, and being truly attentive to my physical capabilities. It is that internal reflection onto oneself that characterizes yoga as a method of expanding consciousness. From a scientific standpoint, the positive energy created by practicing yoga and meditation is an increase of dopamine by an average of 65% (Increased dopamine tone during meditation-induced change of consciousness, 2). I found this information valuable because it demonstrates that the contentment that comes from these practices is not “all in my head,” but wait, it is. The concentration it takes to practice yoga and meditation is as psychologically rewarding as it is awarding in regards to emotional awareness and understanding.

[letsgettreppy]

[letsgettreppy]

Surgical “Enlightenment”

Trepanation (n.)- The act of cutting a hole in the skull (in most cases to reach a higher state of consciousness). Trepanning is considered the world's oldest surgery dating back as far as 5000 BCE, and was first used as a method of “releasing evil spirits” (Nolen-Hoeksema, Abnormal Psychology). This belief was likely centered around the resulting behavioral changes that were triggered by the surgery.  Post- Trepanation, modern activists have reported feeling as though their sense of optimism and feelings of content reverted to that of a child’s. One man, Joey Mellen described this as “his spirits rising higher until he reached a state of freedom and serenity which he claims, has been with him ever since”(Bart Hughes, Bore Hole). The result of the surgery is that of increased blood flow and brain pulsations, since creating the hole relieves pressure on the brain. It is said that the same relationship between blood pressure and sense of enlightenment is the science behind certain yoga poses, including “Sirshasana” or the headstand. In fact, depictions of Shiva, the Hindu god, are seen with a bore hole in place. This is actually what was considered the original “third eye”. Referencing “opening your third eye” in yoga practices refers to having a mind wide open, and feeling calm and centered, the same result that came from trepanation.  "The third eye of Shiva was a source of wisdom and illumination, depicted as a fountain coming out of his head. Trepanation was prevalent in those days as a religious practice, and the notion of opening the third eye was a literal reference to trepanation. But over the years, the third eye became ritualized and interpreted as a metaphor" (Pete Halverson).

[letsgettreppy]

Pre-Colombian elongated and trepanned skull showing signs of bone regrowth after the trepanation.

From the collection of the Lima National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History.

[letsgettreppy]

What is Consciousness?

Consciousness can be defined as “the fact of awareness by the mind of itself and the world.” Becoming self-aware in daily life is a tactic used to alleviate anxiety and feel truly “in control” of one's life. We see common practices like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga as methods of reflection or ways to grasp one’s sense of consciousness. These can also be used to “expand” consciousness with continual practice. However, the idea of expansion in this respect is fairly subjective, since the limitations of each person’s awareness varies. Some find difficulty diving into the depths of their mind, and I hope to demonstrate ways to do so. Some believe that the concept of consciousness continues on after death, that the mind exists infinitely in a sort of spiritual realm. This is the concept behind the use of hallucinogens like peyote by Native American tribes, salvia by the Mazatec Indians of Mexico, and mushrooms in Mayan (among many other civilizations) in ceremonial rituals. More eccentric is the act of trepanning, a surgical procedure that involves drilling a hole in the skull to increase blood flow and “open up” the mind. 

[letsgettreppy]

Who am I and why am I qualified to discuss this topic?

To begin, I may not be qualified, but I am definitely credible. My name is Samantha Hee, and I am a Marketing major with a minor in Apparel Design and Merchandising. While my official studies do reflect my interests, they are only the ones of most practical use. Outside of my studies, I enjoy practicing yoga, meditation, educating myself on cultural rituals used to expand consciousness, and learning about how the use of mind-altering substances are applied in such rituals. I am intrigued by the methods used to expand human awareness of self, and how that “sense of self” coincides with the understanding/uptake of the surrounding world. I guess you could say that my journey to understanding began when I was a junior in high school and began learning about Buddhism and practicing meditation. This is also when I began researching psychedelics, which are the psychoactive substances used most commonly in spiritual journeys in world cultures. It interests me how substances that hold such a negative connotation in western culture, are the same as those that other cultures believe allows them access to a sort of spiritual realm.